collision

COLLISION: Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson
$19.99
This DVD is not a "debate" per se, but really a documentary *about* two people debating across the country. For that reason, don't expect this to be a 90 minute composition of prepared speeches from each side. And that's why I liked it!

The camera shifts back and forth between scenes from different debates, in the taxi on the way there, at the hotel rooms, at the dinner tables, where these two fantastic speakers have basically spent a whole week together. It's very entertaining watching them dine while suggesting ideas to each other.

In all fairness, I believe that Hitchens carries his point across more succinctly than Wilson. This might be because I am a huge Hitchens fan, but I really felt that the editing left Wilson's arguments incomplete. Or perhaps Wilson just isn't up to challenge Hitchens.

So, one reason I dropped a star from the review is that you never really get to hear a complete thought from start to finish -- on either side (but moreso Wilson) -- like you would at a debate. You'll hear the start of an argument, then it will change scenes to a bar or taxi cab for a different conversatino, then maybe if you're lucky you'll hear the middle of the original argument. Rarely does it seem the whole idea is presented.

The second reason is that the music is jarring and overdramatic, and gives a sense of intensity when it doesn't seem appropriate. I thought it was too loud in places, and made it difficult to hear what speakers were saying.

I hope that another documentary/debate DVD is released that does a better job of bringing the two styles together, is fairer to both sides, and doesn't try to be as artistic with the music. Until then, this is worth a watch if only to see Hitchens in a different venue than you normally would.

Pride FC - Collision Course
$9.98
Many fighters were caught at a transitional stage in this event. The new rule, which allowed the fighters to kick and knee their opponents when they are on their all fours, really played a big factor to the upsets in this event. This rule is what made Pride as close as it can be to a "no rule" contest. The change gave the strikers a lot of advantage over the grapplers. However, the fights were pretty dull except for the main event.

Place of Execution
$24.99
I watched A Place of Execution on Masterpiece because I had read and loved the book. For the most part, the movie version was well done. There was good casting and great performances throughout. Unfortunately, the script changed too many key elements from the book -- and these changes detracted rather than added to the story. I don't want to go into specific detail about these changes because I'd have to put in too many spoilers in order to describe them. You'll have to read the book and watch the movie for yourself to decide what you think. I suspect if I hadn't read the book first, I might have like the movie more. If you'd like to read my review of the book, it's under the Kindle version of the book (no spoilers).

Collision
$7.99
Ben Forsberg is on his honeymoon when his wife, Emily, is murdered.

In Austin, TX, an attempted assissination goes wrong. Nicky Lynch is supposed to kill two men. He succeeds in killing software designer, Adam Reynolds, but doesn't kill his other target. That man is former CIA agent who goes by the name Pilgrim. Pilgrim finds Nicky in his car and kills him.

Later that day, two agents from Homeland Security ask Ben how his card could be in Nicky's pocket. They also inform him that his name was on Reynold's appointment calendar and his phone listed in Reynolds' cell phone record. When Ben tells them he doesn't know anything, they bring him to their office.

Nicky's brother, Jackie, tells his boss, Sam Hector, that the hit went bad. Hector owns a security firm called Global Security. He has a second team of assassins. He tells Jackie to go to Pilgrim's building, kill everyone there except Pilgrim's boss, Teach. Bring her back to him.

When the killers get to Pilgrim's building, there is a shootout and Pilgrim kills them all except for Jackie. Since Homeland Security is in the same building, the killers went into their office and killed one of the agents. Pilgrim shot that killer and rescued Ben. While Pilgrim was preoccupied with the others, Jackie kidnaps Teach and brings her to Hector.

Ben and Pilgrim realize that they've both been set up. They agree to work together. One of the killers had a match book from a restaurant called Blarney's Steakhouse. Ben gets into the files of that company and sees a photo of Hector. He knew Hector from other dealings and thought he was a friend. Pilgrim also knew Hector from his old CIA days. Now they have to find out what Hector was up to, what he wants with Teach, and then stop him.

This is a complex plot that is filled with action. Ben is an interesting character who evolves from a normal corporate executive to Rambo in a short while. Pilgrim was a killer for the CIA. We learn that he wants to retire but his character is not fully developed and some of his motives are unclear.

The author, Jeff Abbott, has been nominated for the Edgar Award on three occasions and this is another fine work. The story has already been optioned for film.
Recommended.